February 2026: Issue 3
What's going on in the Grange Prestonfield communities in February 2026
They say February is the bridge between winter and spring, and looking around the Grange and Prestonfield this week, that bridge is looking a little more colourful. Between the frost-nipped mornings, we’re starting to see the first snowdrops peeking through, reminding us that the bright days are officially on their way.
What to Know About
Consultation on school ban on mobile phones: After successful trial schemes at Portobello and Queensferry High Schools, The Education, Children and Families Committee is considering banning or restricting phone use in all schools. The council is also considering lockable pouches to support restrictions on mobile phone use in secondary schools, and lockable cabinets in primary schools. They know that not everyone feels the same way about this and they would like to know what you think (along with pupils and school staff). We are also asking pupils and school staff and for their views. Have your say here by 02 March 2026. All the feedback you share will help the council reach a decision.
Cameron Toll:
Proposals for Redeveloping Cameron Toll Shopping Centre: New Masterplan proposals are now emerging for a major redevelopment of Cameron Toll Shopping Centre, bringing work on the idea in recent years to a head. The proposals are to for “mixed use development potentially comprising retail, commercial, residential, student accommodation, later living accommodation, hotel, office space, sports/leisure and community uses and public realm, along with associated landscaping and infrastructure”. At this stage it is just a location plan and a statement of intent. You can read more here.
The developer has held one community engagement event in December and developed this storyboard of their vision. There is another community event coming up on 05 February 2026 from 2-7pm in the Central Mall.
Tram Trains for Edinburgh (TTfE): The TTfE volunteer team see the Cameron Toll proposal as a big boost for their push to re-open the South Edinburgh suburban rail line (South Sub). It brings into play the idea of a major transport hub at Cameron Toll, joining up the North-South Tram line with the West-East sweep of the South Sub from a Murrayfield junction, through to Fort Kinnaird, then conceivably on to Portobello or Musselburgh. The team are keen to reinforce their vision with the Cameron toll developers. The drive is now on to find sponsors of a further feasibility study. If you would like to join the venture, contact the team or visit the Facebook page.
Sun Tan Licensing: A new set of Public Entertainment Licensing conditions are to be drafted specifically for Sun Tan Centres. If you have a view on Sun Tan Centre’s licensing, please get in touch here by 19 February 2026.
The Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA): SEPA has opened a public consultation, on the theme of ‘Significant Water Management Issues’; issues that are having a significant adverse impact on the condition of the water environment and must be tackled. Share your views with SEPA by 03 March.
Save Our Community Space - The Future of Reid Memorial: Following the merger of Reid Memorial (RM) with Marchmont St Giles, the RM buildings face a pending closure. While the halls will remain open through 2026, the long-term loss of this venue threatens vital local groups, including the Scouts, Guides, and various fitness and toddler classes. We are looking for “blank page” ideas—from community buyouts to new partnerships—to keep this hub alive. To share a proposal or join the conversation, please contact William Ivory and / or GPCC.
Local Place Plans:
Astley Ainslie: The community’s vision for the future of Astley Ainslie is now a formal part of Edinburgh’s planning process. Registered on January 21st, the new Local Place Plan reflects priorities like green space and long-term public benefit. This official recognition is a huge win for local engagement. To read the plan or chat about what comes next, visit the AACT website or get in touch with Jillian Simon.
A local group ‘Banzai’, centred in Bruntsfield, is leading a LPP initiative across ‘Bruntsfield, Merchiston, Marchmont and Sciennes’. You can read a full description of what they have in mind here. The invitation to complete a survey and to attend a series of ‘People’s Assemblies’ on 28 Feb and 28 Mar.
Is there a local area, site or layout you think could be given a lift? Is there a ‘space’ you think needs safeguarding or enhancing, or an area that could have a road safety, better mobility or environment focus? If you’ve got an idea that would work as part of the Local Place Plan, please share it with GPCC and we can work together to bring it to life.
Update on Ratcliffe Terrace Planning Appeal: Following the Council’s refusal of the PBSA development at the Causewayside Lads Institute site, the developer has appealed to the Scottish Government (DPEA). A Reporter is now considering the case and will issue a decision soon. Residents interested in the procedural side of this appeal can find guidance on the Scottish Government website.
Voi E-Bikes: With the expansion of the Voi E-bike scheme around Marchmont and King’s Buildings, residents are reminded to report abandoned bikes or obstructed pavements to the Council’s Hire Scheme page. For persistent problems with bike misuse, please let GPCC know.
Local Traffic:
GPCC has submitting a Local Traffic Improvement Plans (LTIP) for junctions at Dalkeith Road / East Mayfield and Kilgraston Road / Grange Loan.
GPCC has submitted Blacket Avenue, Queen’s Crescent and Prestonfield
Avenue for Q2 Council Road Safety Team checks and analysis due to resident concerns.
Help Shape the Future of Community Conservation: An SRUC student (BSc Wildlife and Conservation Management) is seeking participants for her honours dissertation survey. This research explores how community-led projects contribute to the environment—looking at the challenges you face and the best ways to make local initiatives succeed. If you are involved or interested in community conservation, please share your views here.
Summary of previous news:
University of Edinburgh Community Plan 2025-2030 has officially launched. To read the full plan and get involved, please find out more here.
Road Safety Delivery Plan 2025 - 6 Month Update: This is a comprehensive six-month review of the Road Safety Delivery Plan 2025/26 approved in April 2025.
Living Streets Edinburgh Group is setting out its case for a substantial increase in Council spend on footway maintenance and improvement. To get involved, email GPCC, lobby your local councillors or reach out to LSEG directly.
Blacket Conservation Area: If you have ideas for how to enhance the green common space in Blacket, please share here.
There is a delay in the Scottish Power Energy Networks cabling project, which is mapped to run through GPCC boundaries. More background on the project from the Grange Association here.
Controlled Parking Zones (CPZ)
Introduction of CPZ to B1 (runs east-west across the upper half of the GPCC boundary area will take place in Q1 2026. Read more here.
CPZ & S8 (Blackford Newington): Following June 2025 local consultation, a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) setting out the intended detail for CPZ S8 is expected to be tabled for Council Committee on 17 March 2026.
Stay updated via the GPCC website, where you’ll find rolling news, the CEC Consultation Hub, and the latest from the Planning, Transport, and Culture committees. You can also review our January 2026 draft meeting minutes here.
What to See & Do
03 February 7-8:45pm (St. Catherine’s Argyle Church, Grange Road): The Grange Association Home Energy Group are holding their 4th Open Evening. In collaboration with EcoCosi/Changeworks come hear how EcoCosi helps homeowners enjoy warmer greener homes and in particular how they inspired a local owner of a Grade B listed home to make some improvements! Free for members and £5 for non-members. Find out more here. Thanks to the The Grange Association for sharing this!
07 February 10-2pm: Come plant trees at Inch Park! More details below.
14 February from 11am (Inch House): On St Valentine’s day, come and give Inch Park some love. The monthly litter pick on 14th February will start at 11am outside Inch House. As usual equipment will be provided. Following the litter pick at 1pm we will get together for hot drinks and an important Special General Meeting in the Ante Room on the first floor of Inch House. All are welcome to either event, and there is no expectation to take part in the litter pick to be able to join us later on.
14 February 1pm (Inch House): Members are invited to a short General Meeting and refreshments, so that the Committee can seek your formal agreement to the appointment of Sue Bennett (ACIE and Dip Business and Finance) as the person who will carry out an independent examination of our annual accounts this year. Our constitution says we must appoint someone independent to do this and the FOIP Committee have identified Sue as a suitable person. Please come along to the Special General Meeting to help us with this decision. The meeting will take place straight after our litter pick that day and you are welcome to come to that too, or just to the meeting.
16 February 10am (Newington Cemetery): Come help the Friends of Newington Cemetery in their monthly gardening tasks, which range from planting bulbs, weeding beds and troughs and wrestling ivy to putting up bird boxes, installing a bug hotel and restoring monuments. All ages, abilities and skills welcome!
17 February 7:30pm (St Catherine’s Argyle Church, Grange Road): Continuing the Grange Association Talks series, Catherine Booth will give a talk about ‘Trailblazing Edinburgh Women of Science’. Doors open at 7:00pm for tea and coffee and biscuits. The event is free for members and £5 for non-members. Find out more here. Thanks to the The Grange Association for sharing this!
28 February 2026 11am -2pm (Old Prestonfield Bowling Green): Come join the Prestonfield community for a day of activities including fruit trees pruning workshop, hula hooping, circus skill & silence disco. Plus various maintenance tasks at the new orchard, edges, rose bushes, etc. Thanks to Esperanza Martin Gil. Community Projects Officer of Edinburgh & Lothians Greenspace Trust for sharing this!
Did we miss an event? Let us know for our next issue here.
Want to get involved in your community?
Grange Prestonfield Community Council
GPCC is officially the “eyes and ears” for South-East Edinburgh. As commissioned by the City Council, we are the direct link between the people of Grange, Blackford, Mayfield, and Prestonfield and the decision-makers at City Chambers.
We need you. Whether you care about local planning, green spaces, or community safety, we need volunteers to help us make this part of town work better for everyone. No experience is necessary—just a passion for your neighbourhood. Hear from Neil on why he joined below:
“Firstly, because I care very much about the area within which I have happily lived with my family in, for the past 30 years. I want to play an active part in helping to enhance and develop the area into the future.
As I was previously chairman of The Tenants and Residents Association for the area, I felt I was able to influence, effect and make positive changes, in the neighbourhood. Address issues that mattered to me enough to get involved with planning decisions, local services, green spaces, safety, or simply wanting the area to thrive.
As a local community councillor I feel I can genuinely influence Ward Councillors, The City Council, and what happens in Edinburgh to the benefit of residents. I don’t want decisions made without a well-informed community’s perspective and involvement.
Friends and neighbours said “You’d be good at this,” and so suddenly I found myself filling out nomination papers. So, it’s fair to say I was encouraged.
Local government can often feel opaque from the outside. Becoming a community councillor is a way for me to understand the machinery and try and make it work better for all.
The main reason for joining is however is the simplest. I strongly believe community councillors often commit to undertaking unglamorous, unpaid, voluntary work. Why? Because they genuinely and passionately want their area to improve in all ways. Communication is at the heart of why I joined The GPCC.”
Interested? Let’s chat.
Friends of Newington Cemetery
Friends of Newington Cemetery are looking for new volunteers! We carry out a variety of tasks from planting bulbs, weeding beds and troughs and wrestling ivy to putting up bird boxes, installing a bug hotel and restoring monuments.
We meet on the third Monday of each month at the cemetery gates at 10am. All ages, abilities and skills welcome!
Astley Ainslie Community Trust
Seeking new trustees! As our work continues to grow, Astley Ainslie Community Trust is seeking new trustees for our dynamic board. We’re particularly keen to hear from people with skills or experience in legal matters, business development, risk management, fundraising, or communications.
You don’t need to have been involved before, just a commitment to the values of community ownership and the future of Astley Ainslie. If you’re interested or would like an informal conversation, please get in touch with Helen Sang.
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February may be the shortest month, but it’s often the one where community matters most. Let’s keep looking out for one another as we wait for the seasons to shift. Thank you for being part of what makes this corner of Edinburgh such a special place to live.
We’ll be back in your inbox next month—hopefully with a bit more sunshine and even more local updates to share.